It’s an apartment. But it may also be a hotel. No, it’s corporate housing. Corporate housing has increased in popularity over the past ten years but even now some firms are not aware of it. The Corporate Housing Providers Association values the corporate housing industry at $2.77 billion in the United States during 2008, being comprised of approximately 73,385 units with an occupancy rate of 88.5 percent.

Corporate Housing in Houston Explained

When it comes to corporate housing, Houston is lucky to have several companies you can choose from, including Choice Corporate Housing, Oakwood Worldwide, RXHousing and CorporateHousingcom, to name a few.

What will you get out of using corporate housing? It is extremely convenient, the accommodations, with double the living area, are more enjoyable, and at about one-half the price, it is cost effective.

Although corporate housing is best known for catering to the business traveler, the services may also be utilized for short-term living arrangements during a relocation or for brief military assignments. Theater groups on tour will avail themselves of corporate housing during prolonged performance engagements, as will television or film crews and casts when filming on location. Others use corporate housing for personal getaways. Insurance companies often provide this type of housing for displaced policyholders.

Corporate housing companies can act quickly to provide temporary housing in an emergency. It was only a few years ago when Katrina hit southern Mississippi and New Orleans, Louisiana. As a nearby metropolitan city, Houston was flooded with requests for corporate housing to accommodate thousands of displaced employees in dire need of temporary living space.

Oakwood Worldwide made 1,500 apartments available in several locations within a matter of three weeks.. Honestly, the only limitation we had was that our furniture rental companies could not handle it any quicker that that, stated Oakwood Senior Vice President Gavan James in an interview with Mobility Magazine in 2007.

There are some companies that own their own furniture. “We own all the furniture in our units,” said Paul Sternberg of Choice Corporate Housing, “which is advantageous because we don’t have to depend on other sources for furniture and housewares. He goes on to say that by owning the furniture, his company “can ensure that the quality meets our specific needs, and we know our units are in top shape, allowing us to control every aspect of our business,”

Benefit of Corporate Housing in Houston
When you look at the overall travel spend picture, be it for special projects, relocations or ordinary business travel, Houston corporate housing provides cost savings and convenience over comparable mid to high-end hotels. There are many corporate apartments that give tenants access to fitness centers, laundry facilities, and business centers.

“We give excellent value with corporate housing in Houston, Sternberg stated. This is due to the fact that we are a small firm, giving us the ability to react. We can change accommodation quickly, and we offer a discounted product.
“We can set clients up with a 700-950 sq ft elegantly furnished apartment in a Houston high-rise for as little as $60 a night, less than what you would pay for a 285 sq ft hotel room”, he added. The value of Houston corporate housing vs hotels differs as you get over twice the living space at bargain rates with all the comforts of home. Another benefit of corporate housing in Houston is being able to get fully-equipped kitchens.

This can reduce expenses charged to businesses. A healthier option to dining out, employees can shop for the foods they like and cook their own meals which saves time and money.
This allows companies to lower the expenses for food during business trips. Employees will be able to cook their favorite meals, and still have the extra to dine out for business entertainment when required.

It is true that there are many advantages to staying in a hotel. However, once you stay in a hotel for a week or two, you tend to miss the comforts of home. Therefore, using corporate housing can result in more productive employees on extended stays.

The Bottom Line
Cost effectiveness is generally a top factor as companies choose corporate housing in Houston, but an underlying benefit is the decrease in vague costs of employee non-productivity and mental pressure. There is a natural wish for a calm environment when travelling and this is made possible by Houston corporate housing. Providing employees with a well-equipped, furnished apartment in a good location helps to lower employee stress levels while on business trips.

Finally, the amenities available top it off. On the next occasion that your firm has to seek employee accommodations for prolonged periods, explore what corporate housing in Houston has to offer.